Page 12 of Under His Protection
I hope she sleeps well tonight. I hope her pre-med dormmate is nice to her.
At least I’ll get to see her tomorrow. We made plans to have lunch, and then we’ll go to the bookstore to get her textbooks.
There are approximately fourteen thousand three hundred students at her university—I googled it. If half of them are guys, she has the potential to meet over seven thousand guys over the next four years of undergraduate schooling. And after that, she’ll spend three more years in law school surrounded by the best of the best. Smart guys with bright futures.
How in the hell can I compete with that?
Chapter 5 – Haley
The weekend flies by. Philip comes to see me on Saturday, and we have a wonderful day. He comes with me to the campus bookstore. After I buy my textbooks, we bring them back to my room, and then we walk to Lafayette Street for lunch at a small diner. The food is delicious, and afterward we visit some of the shops in the area. He stays until my curfew.
My parents—all four of them—come to campus on Sunday. I show them my dorm room, introduce them to Melissa, and show them around the main spots on campus. Afterward, we walk to Lafayette Street and have supper at a wonderful Italian restaurant called Mama Bella’s. We have a great time. Even though my mom tears up once, she never stops smiling.
Monday morning arrives before I know it, officially kicking off my first day of classes. It feels like I have dreamed of this day for years.
I have a pretty typical schedule for a freshman—chemistry lecture, US History, and chemistry lab on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I have British literature and political science on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The history and poly sci courses count toward my dual majors. The Brit lit and chem courses are general education courses.
My first class for today is chemistry lecture at nine o’clock, but I leave the dorm at eight so I have time to stop at the student union beforehand to grab a quick bite to eat. Not surprisingly, the building is packed this morning with students and faculty who have the same idea.
I stand in line to get an iced caramel coffee with whipped cream, as well as a sausage and egg sandwich on a toasted bagel.There are no available tables, so I stand at a counter to scarf down my breakfast, all the while keeping a close eye on the clock.
By the time I’m done eating, I have fifteen minutes to get to my chemistry lecture, so I hustle out of the building and across the big central courtyard. Lots of students are milling around, drinking coffee, and sitting around the big fountain. It looks like something out of a movie, and I want to pinch myself to be sure it’s real.
My chemistry class is held in a huge lecture hall that holds at least a couple hundred students. The place is already packed when I arrive, but I’m able to find a good seat near the front of the room. I get my tablet and digital pencil out so I’m ready to take notes.
Students continue to file in and take their seats, some of them standing around talking.
Right at nine, the room hushes and students quickly find their seats. The professor has arrived. Dr. Ann Foley is an older woman with gray hair in a bun. She’s dressed in a white lab coat, and a pair of readers are perched on her nose.
After introducing herself, she goes over the syllabus. And then the lecture begins, accompanied by lots of slides projected on a huge screen at the front of the room. I listen and take notes like a good student, but it’s all pretty basic stuff I already know from high school.
After chemistry is my US history course, which I’m taking with Layla and Jasmine. The class starts at ten, so with my backpack slung over my shoulder, I head to one of the liberal arts buildings. I’m supposed to meet Layla and Jasmine outside our lecture hall a few minutes before class starts, and I don’t want to be late. We want to get there early enough we can grab three seats together.
On my way across campus, my phone chimes with an incoming text from Philip.
Philip – have a great first day of classes. miss you!
Of course, I text him back.
Me – Will do. Have a good day yourself. Hope to see you soon.
My mom sends me a text message featuring a GIF of an animated heart emoji. Over the next few minutes, I hear from the rest of my parents.
Dave – kick ass today, kid. Take no prisoners
Dad – Have fun, honey! Love you!
Erin – You’re going to do great! Love u!
Their messages put a smile on my face and help settle my nerves.
I race into the liberal arts building and immediately spot Layla and Jasmine seated on a wooden bench in front of a huge window. Jason is standing beside Layla.
“Hey, guys,” I say, a bit breathless. “Sorry I’m late.”
“You’re not late.” Layla smiles up at me. “Did you get settled into your dorm room okay?”
I set my backpack on the floor and try to catch my breath. “Yes.”
